BODY WORK An introduction to some bodywork practices

Danielle Goettl

MASSAGE ,REFLEXOLOGY ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese Medicine technique that uses needles to help relieve pain in specific areas of the body.

Massage: A type of bodywork where a certified massage therapist uses different massage techniques to loosen up muscles, relieve tension, or stress, and to promote relaxation.

Reflexology: A method of relaxation that uses pressure points in the feet, hands, and ears. The reflexologist applies pressure to these specific points on the body.

YOGA & MEDITATION Breathing and flow: yoga practice

starts with breathing and continues on to a flow of poses and stretching. This breathing should be maintained and utilized throughout the practice. Similar breathing techniques are used in meditation.

Mind-body connection : During both yoga and meditation, there needs to be a mind-body awareness. The mind needs to be aware of how the body feels. The mind needs to be “turned off” and push

away unneeded thoughts, only focused on the body.

TAI CHI & MEDICAL QIGONG Tai Chi: the Chinese exercise of slow,

small movements that utilize stretching positions and poses, along with breathing techniques. This is a type of martial art.

Medical Qigong: another

form of Chinese medicine

that uses the energy from

within, and exercises to work

with the qi (inner force).

RELAXATION AND BREATHING

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): PMR is a technique used to relax that body, one section at a time. The feet, legs, core, arms, hands, neck, head, and finally whole body are “squeezed” one at a time with self-talk and breathing.

Breathing for relaxation: Simple breathing for relaxation includes deep breaths with long inhales, and longer exhales. Counting often helps. This breathing can be

used outside of bodywork as well.

SOURCES Salamon, M. (Writer) (2010). The science of yoga and why it works [Web].

Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/35129-yoga-increases-brain-function-bone-density.html

Douglas , S. (Writer) (2012). Study: Massage causes beneficial hormonal changes [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.runnersworld.com/health/study-massage-causes-beneficial-hormonal-changes

Joseph (Writer) (2012). Restoring your qi with tai chi[Web]. Retrieved from http://universal-taichichuan.com/restoring-your-qi-with-tai-chi/

Davis , C. (Writer) (2011 ). Deep breathing for relaxation [Web]. Retrieved from http://magnahealthblog.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/deep-breathing-for-relaxation/

Watson, S. (Writer) (2013). Acupuncture overview[Web]. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/alternative/acupuncture.htm

McMullen , L. (Writer) (2013). 3 meditation techniques for beginners [Web]. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/07/30/3-meditation-techniques-for-beginners